Scientists and local officials are now monitoring a large chunk of fiberglass that appears to be part of a boat spotted floating just off the coast of Oregon.

This boat is apparently debris from the Japanese earthquake in 2011 and it's carrying strange cargo: fish normally found only off Japan.

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This floating object measures nearly 30 feet long and was spotted yesterday near west of Ona Beach near Seal Rock and Newport, said Chris Havel, spokesman of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.

Havel said the debris is still a few miles offshore and a team of state agencies is already preparing to retrieve this debris as soon as possible.

Havel confirms the debris seems to be part of a larger vessel, estimated to be more than half of a large ship that was damaged and was cast adrift during the earthquake and tsunami on the eastern coast of Japan four years ago.

Officials report that native fish from Japan are still living inside the object. These fish include a variety of yellowtail jack were found plus other marine life and ocean debris.

Oregon Coast Aquarium and the Hatfield Marine Science Center biologists have determined the exotic fish are a low risk to the native marine ecosystems found in the Oregon coast. The group also consulted with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife on the matter.

When the object is brought ashore, biologists will examine and study the fish inside the vessel. Once the vessel debris is on land, researchers will examine it further and then dismantle and dispose of it in the local landfill.

The yellowtail jack will find a new home in the Oregon Coast Aquarium where it will be soon available for public display.

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